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Credit/debit card on cruise


Ash32

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Does anyone know if you can use your credit debit card on the cruise ship ? And if you do, do they charge a percentage ? I know most restaurants are included with the cruise but say if you purchase a drink at the bar if you didn’t get the alcohol package or if you purchase something from inside one of the stores on the boat. I know before you cruise you have to provide your credit card information anyway so they can charge gratuities but I don’t want any hidden fees. 

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I wouldn't use a debit card. As you purchase items during the cruise, the system creates a pending sale. All week long your purchases will be held by the bank until they get the actual charge after the cruise. The big problem is that each individual pending takes about 2 weeks to clear because after the cruise they charge 1 total charge for 1 total amount and the individual charges linger for a while. Basically you could easily drain your account without knowing and have to wait.  Use a real credit card

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4 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Be aware that if you use a debit card to pay for your onboard spending (Sea Pass account) that they will place a “hold” on your checking account for a number of days after you get off the ship.  In general, it is recommended that you NOT use a debit card for your onboard spending but it is allowed.

I have never used a debit card, but don’t they do like the car rentals, they hold something like 500 dollars to cover things, I’m not sure, if you have credit card, just use it, much easier and less confusing. Enjoy your cruise.

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Fully agree with everything said. The only other exception to call out would be the Casino and Next Cruise booking. You would be required to put deposit on your next cruise with a credit card. Casino clerk also allows option to withdraw money from credit card. I think this was for a 3% fee and of course is never recommended.

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Another method if using a debit card would be setting up as a cash account. Once onboard I think the spending limit is either $300 or $500 depending on the length of sailing. This point I'm a bit fuzzy on. I know if the limit hasn't been reach by the end of the sailing you can visit Guest Services to paydown the account using a debit card.

What I'm not sure if during the voyage the limit is reach if you can use the debit card to pay it down and have it remain as a cash account until the next time it needs to be paid down.

The cash account method would prevent the holds against card plus the combined final charge. What I mean by this is if during a 7 night sailing $100 in onboard charges are made each night this would result in 7 $100 pending charges, plus a final $700 charge. Result is $1400 in pending charges initially, $700 will become a completed charge while the remaining $700 pending can take well over a week to drop. 

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  • 9 months later...
2 hours ago, Barb004 said:

Hi, does anyone know if i can pay for the trip (no the purchaces i make inside the ship) with a debit card or a direct deposit? 

Direct Depost/EFT: not so sure.  Debit card: absolutely. That said, if you have a credit card available, I always suggest using that for some of the additional travel protection, charge disputes and separation from your actual bank account that a credit card provides, not mention any potential "points" or cash back offers.  You can always immediately write a check or pay your bill online to pay off the credit card!

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  • 4 months later...

Just got back from my cruise and they took out the full amount listed on my invoice but my bank has three pending holds on items already listed on the invoice.

So pissed because when I gambled one night I did the transfer option on the slot machine because their atm machines were all not working.  I asked on the ship and called Royal Caribbean to make sure those charges will not be taken out of the total invoice since my bank has them pending.  I was reassured by all parties.
 

so after reading the above now I have to wait weeks to get those pending charges back but it shows those amounts are not available in my account.

they even charged me for the pictures we ordered which appears as a pending transaction in my chase account and it’s listed on my invoice as well and all the money from my invoice came out already.

Never using a debit card again because I see what they now do 😞

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  • 6 months later...

I wish I knew about this company before cruising with them. I'm now £100 down over a month after my cruise and Royal Caribbean and STILL not refunded me on these holding fees on my card. Despite multiple times I've called Royal Caribbean and no one is helping me. Absolute disgrace of a company and I would NEVER travel with them again and I would advise anyone wanting to go on a cruise to stay well clear of Royal Caribbean!!!!

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